Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-10-21


He was ugly. Everything had gone
wrong, and he said it was all my fault.
At supper Kent asked sarcasticallv
if our fun had paid US, and he answered
Grossly that he had no fun at all, nod
ding maliciously and looking full at
me.
Bessie hid herself somewhere and
did not go, but told me not to tell you.
A pleased look crossed Kent's face.
and he glanced eagerly ut me, but I
was angry at Ted, and replied hastily,
"Be sure l should have gone had
wanted TO, and, furthermore, Master
Ted, small aid will you get from me in
the future to further your fun.
Ted stared open-mouthed at such an
outburst, but Kent paid no apparent
attention, and went quietly on with his
supper.
1 got away as soon as / could and
went into the garden for good cry,
though did not seem to know what I
was crying for.
had thrown myself face downward
upon a rustic bench, and did not hear
any one approach, SO was startled to
feel an arm passed about me, and hear
the minister's low, sweet voice say,
"What is the matter, Gussie dear?"
sprang to my feet in fury.
Gust please keep your hands off
me, John Gordon. 1 hate the sight
of you. You are always making such
mistakes. 1 declare believe you do it
on purpose, and disregarding his dis
mayed attempt at an apology, rushed
away to my room.
was thoroughly ashamed of myself
in a moment, and when he started
home intercepted him at the gate, and
begged his pardon most humbly.
He, gentle soul, quickly granted it,
and in turn begged me not to be SO an
cry II he ever transgressed in that way
again. 1 promised, and was nearer
liking the small man than [ ever was
| before.
Returning to the house i met Ted,
and tried to make peace with him, but
the young savage utterly refused all
ove,tures, ending by threatening a
most terrible revenge. l shivered a
little, for 1 knew Ted's revenges of
old, and wondered what form it would
take. 1 never doubted but it would
come.
Time went on, and I became re-
formed character.
Ted sneered openly, and predicted a
speedy return to fun and folly. Kent
gave me an approving smile now and
then, and | knew he appreciated the
change
But since that day I had called him
cold" he treated me as if he were 60
and 10, and called me little maid"
on all occasions.
missed our long, pleasant "book"
talks, missed the delicate attentions he
had given me as a young lady, but the
change was of my making and L could
not complain.
One day did something that pleased
him, and he patted me on the head ap-
provingly, calling me "dear little
girl"
Ny temper flew instantly. Jerking
myself away cried angrily: IT am
not little girl. Iwon't have you treat
me So"
An amused look crept into his fine
eyes, and he said roguishly: Neither
am 1 an old man,"
| Then we both laughed heartily, and
our real friendship began.
All through that long summer we
were constantly together. Gussie and
John were so absorbed in each other,
Ted was so ugly, that really had no
companion in the house, SO 1 went with
Kent on many of his long rides.
L was beginning to hope he cared for
| | To
how much i cared for him. His man
ner was always kind, but sometimes I
fancied there was more than brotherly
love in the care he took of me.
Ted still occasionally warned me to
look out" that the time would soon
come when he would square the debt
between US. He honestly thought
had ruined all his fun for the summer,
and I knew his nature so we'll that I
daily looked for trouble.
One day some friends came to visit,
and we spent the afternoon in uncles
rooms. lie, good soul, delighted to get
so appreciate an audience, exhibited
and explained many curious things.
Only one thing particularly inter-
ested me, as l had seen everything be-
fore. That was some strange bean-like
objects, that he said we're the seed of a
plant that grew only in India, and
called by the natives, a Laughing
plant. When ground fine, and taken
internally or through the nostrils, it
would cause the victim to soon begin
laughing immoderately until exhaus-
ton ensued, terminating sometimes in
death, and at others in fainting.
1t was curious plant, and best not
meddled with, he concluded, fixing his
eyes upon Ted, who he saw was listen
ing eagerly. He sflrank back, but
fixed his eyes upon me with a look that
made me shiver.
When the friends departed, after a
dainty lunch, Kent and l walked to the
gate with them.
1t was glorious night in August.
The harvest moon Hooded all things
with radiant light The air was pure
and cool, after a sultry day.
We turned aside from the direct path
on our return and wandered into the
garden.
An arbor reached, Kent drew me
to seat beside him, and in few direct,
l ,cr+, H., 49, ~